Head coach David Shaw of the Stanford Cardinal argues with referees in the second half against the Wisconsin Badgers in the 99th Rose Bowl Game Presented by Vizio on January 1, 2013 at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California.

Photo: Harry How, Getty Images

Head coach David Shaw of the Stanford Cardinal argues with referees...

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Defensive player of the game Usua Amanam (left) and offensive player of the game Stepfan Taylor hold the Rose Bowl trophy after Stanford's victory over the Wisconsin Badgers in Pasadena, Calif. on Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2013.

Photo: Paul Chinn, The Chronicle

Defensive player of the game Usua Amanam (left) and offensive...

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Rebecca Huls from Newcastle (Placer County) soaks up the scene at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif. on Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2013.

Photo: Paul Chinn, The Chronicle

Rebecca Huls from Newcastle (Placer County) soaks up the scene at...

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Stanford players take the field for pregame warm-ups at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif. on Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2013.

Photo: Paul Chinn, The Chronicle

Stanford players take the field for pregame warm-ups at the Rose...

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Stepfan Taylor powers his way to the 5-yard line to set up Stanford's field goal late in the 4th quarter of the Rose Bowl victory over Wisconsin in Pasadena, Calif. on Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2013.

Photo: Paul Chinn, The Chronicle

Stepfan Taylor powers his way to the 5-yard line to set up...

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Tight end Zach Ertz fights for yardage against Wisconsin's Devin Smith in the 4th quarter of the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif. on Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2013.

Photo: Paul Chinn, The Chronicle

Tight end Zach Ertz fights for yardage against Wisconsin's Devin...

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Stnaford linebacker Chase Thomas tries to block a pass from Wisconsin quarterback Curt Phillips in the 4th quarter of the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif. on Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2013.

Photo: Paul Chinn, The Chronicle

Stnaford linebacker Chase Thomas tries to block a pass from...

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Stepfan Taylor #33 of the Stanford Cardinal is tackled for a five-yard loss in the second half against the Wisconsin Badgers in the 99th Rose Bowl Game Presented by Vizio on January 1, 2013 at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California.

Photo: Robert Laberge, Getty Images

Stepfan Taylor #33 of the Stanford Cardinal is tackled for a...

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A.J. Tarpley and Terrance Brown (6) celebrate after stopping Wisconsin on a 4th down play in the 4th quarter of the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif. on Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2013.

Photo: Paul Chinn, The Chronicle

A.J. Tarpley and Terrance Brown (6) celebrate after stopping...

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Wisconsin's Marcus Cromartie (14) keeps Stanford's Stepfan Taylor from breaking away for a touchdown in the 4th quarter of the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif. on Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2013.

Photo: Paul Chinn, The Chronicle

Wisconsin's Marcus Cromartie (14) keeps Stanford's Stepfan Taylor...

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Stepfan Taylor #33 of the Stanford Cardinal is tackled for a five-yard loss in the second half against the Wisconsin Badgers in the 99th Rose Bowl Game Presented by Vizio on January 1, 2013 at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California.

Photo: Robert Laberge, Getty Images

Stepfan Taylor #33 of the Stanford Cardinal is tackled for a...

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PASADENA, CA - JANUARY 01: Quarterback Kevin Hogan #8 of the Stanford Cardinal runs the ball in the fourth quarter against the Wisconsin Badgers in the 99th Rose Bowl Game Presented by Vizio on January 1, 2013 at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images)

Photo: Jeff Gross, Getty Images

PASADENA, CA - JANUARY 01: Quarterback Kevin Hogan #8 of the...

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Tight end Zach Ertz hauls in a 43-yard pass to set up Stanford's second touchdown in the 1st quarter of the Rose Bowl against the Wisconsin Badgers in Pasadena, Calif. on Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2013.

Photo: Paul Chinn, The Chronicle

Tight end Zach Ertz hauls in a 43-yard pass to set up Stanford's...

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Drew Terrell (4) and Jamal-Rashad Patterson celebrate Stanford's first touchdown against the Wisconsin Badgers in the 1st quarter of the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif. on Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2013.

Photo: Paul Chinn, The Chronicle

Drew Terrell (4) and Jamal-Rashad Patterson celebrate Stanford's...

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PASADENA, CA - JANUARY 01: Usua Amanam #15 of the Stanford Cardinal celebrates with teammates after making an interception in the fourth quarter against the Wisconsin Badgers in the 99th Rose Bowl Game Presented by Vizio on January 1, 2013 at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Robert Laberge/Getty Images)

Photo: Robert Laberge, Getty Images

PASADENA, CA - JANUARY 01: Usua Amanam #15 of the Stanford...

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Wisconsin head coach Barry Alvarez paces on the sidelines during the 2nd quarter of the Rose Bowl game against Stanford in Pasadena, Calif. on Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2013.

Photo: Paul Chinn, The Chronicle

Wisconsin head coach Barry Alvarez paces on the sidelines during...

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PASADENA, CA - JANUARY 01: Running back Montee Ball #28 of the Wisconsin Badgers dives to score a 10-yard touchdown in the second quarter against the Stanford Cardinal in the 99th Rose Bowl Game Presented by Vizio on January 1, 2013 at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

PASADENA, CA - JANUARY 01: Drew Terrell #4 of the Stanford Cardinal celebrates after the Cardinal defeat the Wisconsin Badgers 20-14 in the 99th Rose Bowl Game Presented by Vizio on January 1, 2013 at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Robert Laberge/Getty Images)

Photo: Robert Laberge, Getty Images

PASADENA, CA - JANUARY 01: Drew Terrell #4 of the Stanford...

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Stanford head coach David Shaw is hugged by linebacker Shayne Skov (11) as he is doused following their 20-14 win over Wisconsin in the Rose Bowl NCAA college football game, Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2013, in Pasadena, Calif. (AP Photo/Lenny Ignelzi)

Photo: Lenny Ignelzi, Associated Press

Stanford head coach David Shaw is hugged by linebacker Shayne Skov...

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PASADENA, CA - JANUARY 01: Head coach David Shaw of the Stanford Cardinal celebrates after the Cardinal defeat the Wisconsin Badgers 20-14 in the 99th Rose Bowl Game Presented by Vizio on January 1, 2013 at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images)

Photo: Jeff Gross, Getty Images

PASADENA, CA - JANUARY 01: Head coach David Shaw of the Stanford...

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Stanford head coach David Shaw lifts the trophy following their 20-14 win over Wisconsin in the Rose Bowl NCAA college football game, Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2013, in Pasadena, Calif. (AP Photo/Lenny Ignelzi)

Photo: Lenny Ignelzi, Associated Press

Stanford head coach David Shaw lifts the trophy following their...

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Stanford cornerback Usua Amanam celebrates after a interception against Wisconsin late in the second half of the Rose Bowl NCAA college football game, Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2013, in Pasadena, Calif. Stanford won 20-14.

Head Coach David Shaw celebrates Stanford's Rose Bowl victory over the Wisconsin Badgers with his son Gavin (left) daughter Keegan, and son Carter, as well as university president John Hennessy (right) in Pasadena, Calif. on Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2013.

Photo: Paul Chinn, The Chronicle

Head Coach David Shaw celebrates Stanford's Rose Bowl victory over...

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Offensive guard Kevin Danser gets an enthusiastic hug from his brother Tim after Stanford beat the Wisconsin Badgers in the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif. on Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2013.

Photo: Paul Chinn, The Chronicle

Offensive guard Kevin Danser gets an enthusiastic hug from his...

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Condoleezza Rice (foreground) congratulates Stanford head coach David Shaw after the win over the Wisconsin Badgers at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif. on Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2013.

Photo: Paul Chinn, The Chronicle

Condoleezza Rice (foreground) congratulates Stanford head coach...

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Stanford head coach David Shaw sheds tears of joy after the Cardinal beat the Wisconsin Badgers at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif. on Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2013.

Stanford fans go wild after the Cardinal beat Wisconsin at the Rose...

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PASADENA, CA - JANUARY 01: Head coach David Shaw of the Stanford Cardinal celebrates with former Secretary of State and Cardinal alum Condoleezza Rice after the Cardinal defeat the Wisconsin Badgers 20-14 in the 99th Rose Bowl Game Presented by Vizio on January 1, 2013 at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

Photo: Harry How, Getty Images

PASADENA, CA - JANUARY 01: Head coach David Shaw of the Stanford...

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Stanford scholar Condoleezza Rice works her way through a crowd of photographers after congratulating head coach David Shaw (background) on the Cardinal victory over Wisconsin at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif. on Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2013.

Instead of running between the tackles, slogging out victory the Stanford way, head coach David Shaw opened up the playbook and reaped instant rewards.

There was Drew Terrell - a wide receiver! - taking a reverse handoff and then throwing it downfield for a 34-yard gain. There was quarterback Kevin Hogan connecting with tight end Zach Ertz for 43 yards, setting up the game's second touchdown. With more than six minutes left in the first quarter, Stanford was up 14-0. All the pregame talk of low-scoring and much-running seemed so yesterday.

Finally, Stanford had seen value in risk. Finally, Shaw had worked with his quarterback and was ready to unleash the hounds. Finally, the Stanford senior class, which had made three BCS bowl appearances - Orange, Fiesta and Rose - would show the world its full arsenal.

Finally ... none of those things happened.

Stanford reverted to form in the final three quarters, authoring the school's first Rose Bowl victory in 41 years using a familiar, conservative brand of football that can be maddening, yet effective. You might recognize it. It's the brand of football that Jim Harbaugh brought to the Farm and subsequently transferred to the 49ers. And it's the style of play Shaw continues to use as he builds a national powerhouse.

The third quarter of Tuesday's Rose Bowl featured seven punts and three first downs. It was painful to watch, but it allowed Stanford to eat the clock and hold off Wisconsin 20-14. Asked about his team's style in the postgame interviews, Shaw explained:

"It was about us being us. We say that a lot. It's about playing our scheme. We did some things early in the game to loosen them up a little bit, but we want to play our style of football."

If Bill Walsh pioneered the "West Coast Offense," then Harbaugh and Shaw have pioneered the "West Coast Caution." Both modern-vintage Stanford coaches put a premium on execution, running between the tackles and creating mismatches by pulling and trapping their linemen. And both coaches take the occasional shot deep to keep everyone honest.

It creates the misperception that the team could really explode and pile up the points, when in fact. the whole game plan is one of control. No slinging the ball around. Stanford prefers power football.

And, you know what? It works. Harbaugh proved it at Stanford and in the NFL. Shaw is taking it to the next level at Stanford, outperforming his predecessor by twice being named Pac-12 Coach of the Year. And now adding the elusive Rose Bowl title.

Going back to those glorious first minutes of the first quarter, when it seemed as if Stanford would roll decisively, the player who caught that pass off the reverse was Jamal-Rashad Patterson, a senior flanker from Georgia. Asked if his head coach had decided to let it fly on New Year's Day, Patterson looked confused.

"No, not at all," he said. "We knew the safety plays tight because (running back) Stepfan (Taylor) gets a ton of respect. We knew we had to take a shot downfield and make them play honest."

Indeed. It's about playing the game straight and making the other guys play honest. If everyone does their jobs, then the line can open huge holes for runners like Taylor ... or Gerhart ... or Gore. The clock will keep ticking. And the new brand of West Coast football will triumph once again.

That's what makes this whole football philosophy fascinating, especially for Bay Area fans. It's deeply rooted in the region's DNA.

"I tell these guys a lot about a conversation I had with Joe Montana," Shaw said. "We talked about the Super Bowl wins and how Bill Walsh would go back to Day 1 installations. The (game) is on the line and (the best plays) are those the guys know and rep. We say that all the time.

"We're going to go back to what we do, because at the end of the game, it all comes down to execution."

And Walsh begat Harbaugh. And Harbaugh begat Shaw.

The lineage runs through and true, with each generation putting in its own twists. And for the first time, with Shaw, Stanford is legitimately in the same echelon as perennial powerhouses like Alabama and Ohio State. That's a remarkable achievement for a program that struggled long and hard. (Of course, the Cardinal used to throw the ball all the time in those years, right?)

I asked junior linebacker A.J. Tarpley what kind of legacy Harbaugh and Shaw have established at Stanford.

"It's tremendous how we turned around a program," Tarpley said. "It's a complete culture change. Every coach I met here made it clear that we bow to no one."

Sound familiar? It should. This is the new mantra of West Coast football. And Stanford is the embodiment.